Originally Posted by
pax britanica
I cannot see it paying back GBP 250M
It was never the plan to pay back the construction costs in a commercial manner. The money was a gift from the UK Government Aid budget.
Unfortunately once an overall figure of public funds gets agreed there is then a desperation to spend every penny of it, regardless of need. This is what has led to a grandiose terminal building which would be suitable for 100 times the anticipated passenger volumes, which I would point out are initially on one flight a WEEK. There must be many a UK regional airport who is envious of it.
What would have been more appropriate would have been a longer runway, and a couple of Portakabins for terminal facilities. The ongoing operating costs of the terminal alone must exceed any possible revenue. This is a poor island with no industry, the residents do not jet off to the ski slopes every winter.